AutoDesk to End Perpetual License Sales on July 31st

Game developers, visual artists, interior designers and other professions have relied on AutoDesk software packages to create professional content since the dawn of computers. In particular, AutoCAD has been widely used by architects to draft out property plans and construct an accurate 3D model. It’s one of the most useful applications ever created and become the industry standard for computer aided design. Unfortunately, the company, Autodesk has decided to follow in Adobe’s footsteps and end perpetual license sales on July 31st. This means companies and creative individuals will have to pay a subscription to access the software. Autodesk announced these changes on their website and released a brief statement which reads:

“For Autodesk products worldwide, we are phasing out perpetual licenses of our software. Our current subscription offerings will continue to evolve with options that allow you to access multiple products and to share licenses as you do today with perpetual licensing.”

Here is the entire list of products affected by this change:

Autodesk Design & Creation Suites:

Autodesk® 3ds Max® Entertainment Creation Suite Standard
Autodesk® Building Design Suite Premium
Autodesk® Building Design Suite Standard
Autodesk® Building Design Suite Ultimate
Autodesk® Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate
Autodesk® Factory Design Suite Premium
Autodesk® Factory Design Suite Standard
Autodesk® Factory Design Suite Ultimate
Autodesk® Infrastructure Design Suite Premium
Autodesk® Infrastructure Design Suite Standard
Autodesk® Infrastructure Design Suite Ultimate
Autodesk® Maya Entertainment Creation Suite Standard
Autodesk® Plant Design Suite Premium
Autodesk® Plant Design Suite Standard
Autodesk® Plant Design Suite Ultimate
Autodesk® Product Design Suite Premium
Autodesk® Product Design Suite Ultimate

Individual products:

Autodesk® Alias® AutoStudio
Autodesk® Alias® Concept
Autodesk® Alias® Design
Autodesk® Alias® SpeedForm
Autodesk® Alias® Surface
Autodesk® AutoCAD® Raster Design (Final date to purchase is March 20, 2016)
Moldflow Adviser Standard/Premium/Ultimate
Moldflow Insight Standard/Premium/Ultimate
Moldflow Synergy
Nastran
Nastran in-CAD
Vault Office
Vault Workgroup
Vault Professional
VRED
VRED Design
VRED Professional
VRED Render Node
VRED Server
Autodesk® CFD
Autodesk® CFD Advanced
Autodesk® CFD Design Study Environment
Autodesk® CFD Motion
Autodesk® Infrastructure Map Server
Autodesk® Infrastructure Map Server 5 Activations
Autodesk® Moldflow Design
Autodesk® Simulation Mechanical
Autodesk® Studio Wall
Autodesk® TruComp
Autodesk® TruComposites
Autodesk® TruContour
Autodesk® TruMulti-Tool
Autodesk® TruLaser

Other Products with projected end of sale in 2017

Autodesk® Advanced Steel
Helius Composite
Robot Structural Analysis
VRED Presenter

This is a really disappointing move, and I’ve never been too keen on software companies allowing you to use their applications via a subscription model. Admittedly, it’s useful in some situations when people only require the tools for a limited period, and it’s much cheaper to buy a month’s access. However, there needs to be freedom to use either business models and not force companies to pay a hefty monthly fee.